Palgrave's Golden Treasury of Songs and Lyrics - Book Fourth Book

Palgraves Golden Treasury of Songs and Lyrics - 1901 - PREFACE - TO the annotator of a school or college edition of the poets the fear must often present itself that he may unconsciously be guilty of drawing away the attention of his readers from the text to his notes. In such a case he must feel that, if it should ever be his fortune to penetrate to the Elysian fields, he will receive but a chilling welcome from the bards of Passion and of Mirth there reposing in soft ease. Not for him an invitation to join their company, Pledging with contented smack The Mermaid in the Zodiac Forecasting, then, the reception of that day, he must ask himself from time to time what extenuating plea he is prepared to urge. This at least. That he did in his Preface solemnly war11 the student that the text is the one thing of importance, and that the value of the notes is wholly subsidiary that he urged him to read the poems first, and the notes if at all afterwards, and the poems again many times-Noctura versate manu, versate diurna and, finally, that he tried, even in writing notes, to bear in mind the principle that the poets are the best interpreters of themselves and of each other. Writing always in this spirit, he ventures to hope that he may sometimes help others to see beauties which they might possibly have overlooked. He is conscious in his own case of the debt he Owe6 to Mr. Aubrey de Vere and to three critics no longer living, Mr. J. A. Symonds, Mr. Frederick Myers, and Mr. F. T. Palgrave himself, for illuminative comment. His greatest ambition is to hand oa the torch which these have passed to him. The Editor has to thank Mr. R. H. Inglis Palgrave, acting in the absence from England of Mr. Frank Palgrave, for permission to annotate this volume. It is a permission that he values very highly. And, whilst it would be presumptuous on his part to praise The Golden Treasury, he may permit himself to quote the words which a critic of acknowledged distinction, Mr. Quiller-Couch, has used in the preface to his recent Oxford Book of English Verse Few of my contemporaries can erase - or would wish to erase-the dye their minds took from the late Mr. Palgraves Golden. Treasury and he who has returned to it again and again with an affection born of companionship on many journeys must remember not only what the Golden Treaszcry includes, but the moment when this or that poem appealed to him, and even how it lies on the page. Mr. Inglis Palgrave has added tc his kindness by reading the notes and making suggestions and the Editor is indebted, not for the first time, to his friend and colleague, Mr. S. T. Irwin, for a similar favour. J. H. FOWLER. CLIFTON COLLEGE, March, 1901. MR. PALGRAVES PREFACE TO THE GOLDEN TREASURY THIS little Collection differs, it is believed, from others in the attempt made to include in it all the best original Lyrical pieces and Songs in our language save a very few regretfully omitted on account of length, by writers not living,-and none beside the best. Many familiar verses will hence be met with many also which should be familiar -the Editor will regard as his fittest readers those who love Poetry so well that he can offer them nothing not already known and valued. The Editor is acquainted with no strict and exhaustive definition of Lyrical Poetry but he has found the task of practical decision increase in clearness and in facility as he advanced with the work, whilst keeping in view a few simple principles...Read More